Make: Winchester

Model: 53

Serial Number: 44

Year of Manufacture: 1924

Caliber: .32-20 W.C.F.

Action Type: Lever Action with Tubular Magazine

Markings: The left side of the barrel is marked “-MODEL 53-“, “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK-“, “-NICKEL STEEL – 32-20 W.C.F.-“. The top of the barrel and receiver have ovalled “WP” proofs. The top tang is marked “WINCHESTER / -TRADE MARK- / -MADE IN U.S.A.-“. The right of the barrel is marked “MADE IN U.S.A. WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS CO. / NEW HAVEN, CONN.”. The bottom-front of the receiver is marked with the serial number “44”.

Barrel Length: 22?

Sights / Optics: The front sight is a Lyman brass beaded blade dovetailed to a base fixed to the front of the barrel. The rear sight is a flat-top, “U”-notch elevator sight dovetailed to the rear of the barrel. The top tang is drilled, tapped and filled for a tang sight (none present).

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stocks are two-piece smooth walnut with a capped forend, straight wrist, straight comb and serrated steel shotgun-style buttplate. The stocks have some light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There are no chips or cracks. The LOP measures 13? from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The plate has mostly gone to a dark, nearly black patina with erosion concentrated at the heel and toe. The stocks may have been lightly sanded and re-oiled. There is some finish pooled in infrequent spots around the grip. Overall, the stocks are in about Very Good condition as refinished.

Type of Finish: Blued

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is bright and the rifling is sharp. There is mild erosion throughout and some heavier pitting between the muzzle and the midlength. In this writer’s opinion the bore rates 5/10.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 50% of its metal finish. The finish is thinning at all edges. The balance of the finish on the barrel is strong and complete. Most of the finish on the receiver and forend cap, including the lever and hammer, have taken to a light to dark mottled patina throughout. There are some scattered light nicks, scuffs and scratches. There is some minor surface erosion at the muzzle as well as a nick on the left outer edge. The action shows operational wear. The screw heads range from sharp to tool marked with strong slots. The markings are clear. Overall, this rifle is in Very Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The action is fairly smooth and the lever locks up correctly. The hammer has a half-cock safety position. We have not fired this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance standards.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: None.

Our Assessment: Winchester’s Model 53 is essentially the same as the 1892, but was offered with fewer special order features. Introduced in 1924, the standard model was chambered for 25-20 with a 22? round barrel, 6-shot button magazine, straight grip and shotgun-style steel buttplate. Special order features included chambering for 32-20 or 44-40 (or .218 Bee very late in production), takedown frame, pistol grip, set-trigger, crescent buttplate and deluxe wood.

This is a particularly early example, serial 44, and is chambered for .32-20. The rifle has seen some use over the last 100 years and its stocks were refinished somewhere along the way. The rifle retains the majority of its original metal finish, a strong bore and good mechanics. The rifle would make a great addition to a Winchester collection and maybe even getting back out in the field.